History of Lansing, Michigan, USA

1837 - Lansing, Michigan founded

1847 - Lansing named State Capital; Dutch Calvinist separatists founded Holland, Michigan

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1854 - Lansing
Lansing, a post-township forming the N. W. extremity of Ingham co., Michigan. Population, 1229.

Lansing, a thriving town of Ingham county, and capital of the State of Michigan, is situated on the Grand river, 110 miles N. W. from Detroit. Lat. 42° 42' 30" N., Lon. 84° 28' W. This place was selected for the seat of government in 1847, being at that time surrounded by an almost unbroken wilderness. It is now the centre of an active and increasing trade, and is connected by plank-roads with Detroit, Jackson, and Mar shall. The river affords an excellent water- power, which is employed in flouring mills and factories. Lansing contains 4 churches, 2 newspaper offices, several hotels, and about 300 houses. The state house is a large and handsome building, situated on an eminence 60 feet above the level of Grand river. Population in 1853, about 2000.
A New and Complete Gazetteer of the United States: Giving a Full and Comprehensive Review of the Present Condition, Industry, and Resources of the American Confederacy ... Thomas Baldwin (of Philadelphia.) Joseph Thomas January 1, 1854 Philadelphia : Lippincott, Grambo & Company 1854.

1879 - The state Capitol with its majestic dome was built in Lansing.

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1889 - A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
Lansing, Mich., Oct. 13. - While the wrecking crew was engaged in cleaing away the freight wreck on the Lansing & Trannet Railway today, the hoisting beam of the steam derrick fell upon a group of over a dozen men.

Killed were, PETER QUINN, conductor of the construction train, of West Bay City; GEORGE RUBY, of Jackson, a machinist, and JOHN TENTILE, a brakeman, of Bay City.

The two former leave families. The other men escaped injury.
Sandusky Ohio Gazette
Sandusky, Ohio
November 13, 1889

1895 - Lansing
Lansing, a city, the capital of Michigan, is situated in Ingham co., on Grand River, at the mouth of the Cedar River, 85 miles W.N.W. of Detroit, 37 miles N. of Jackson, 208 miles E.N.E. of Chicago, and 72 miles E.S.E. of Grand Rapids. Lat: 42° 45' N.; lon. 84° 32' W. It is on the Detroit, Lansing & Northern Railroad where it crosses the Chicago & Grand Trunk Railroad and the Jackson, Lansing & Saginaw Railroad, and is the N. terminus of a branch of the Michigan Southern Railroad, connecting with the main line at Jonesville. Its site was covered with forests when the seat of government was located here in 1847. Lansing contains a beautiful state-house, 15 churches, the state library of 40,000 volumes, 3 state banks, 2 savings-banks, a high school, the state reform school, the Michigan State Agricultural College, an opera-house, and manufactures of flour, lumber, bricks, barrels, artificial stone, sash, doors, blinds, stoves, agricultural implements, wagons, knit-goods, &c. Ten weekly... Read MORE...

1897 - August 21 – The Oldsmobile is founded in Lansing, Michigan by Ransom E. Olds.

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August 21, 1897

1904 - FOUR DEAD AS THE RESULT OF A HOTEL FIRE IN LANSING, MICHIGAN, ON THURSDAY NIGHT.
Lansing, Mich., April 29 - Four men are dead as the result of a fire that destroyed the Bryan block on Michigan avenue, this city, last night. The dead are:
JEROME STILES.
JOHN VOLLIN.
RANSOM DINGMAN.
JOHN ROY.
All were laborers who occupied rooms in the hotel on the upper floors of the building. STILES fell from a window on the top floor, where he was waiting for rescuers to reach him. He died at five o'clock this morning as a result of the frightful burns and injuries which he received. Bodies of the other men were taken from the ruins this morning. They were so badly burned as to be unrecognizable.
The Newark Advocate
Newark, Ohio
April 29, 1904

1916
Lansing, a city, the capital of Michigan, is situated in Ingham co., on the Grand River, at the mouth of the Cedar River, 85 miles WNW. of Detroit, on the Grand Trunk, the Michigan Central and other railroads. Lat. 42° 46' N. ; Lon. 84° 32' W. Its site was covered with forests when the seat of government was located here in 1847. Lansing contains a state-capitol, state library (with upward of 100,000 volumes), the state reform school, the Michigan State Agricultural College, and the Michigan school for the blind. It has manufactures of iron-castings, automobiles, engines, machinery, show-cases, barrels, agricultural implements, steam-threshers, windmills, pumps, and condensed milk. Lansing was incorporated as a city in 1859. Pop. in 1860, 3074 j in 1870, 6241 ; in 1880, 8319 ; in 1890, 13,102; in 1900, 16,485.
Lippincotts New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns, Resorts, Islands, Rivers, Mountains, Seas, Lakes, Etc., in Every Portion of the Globe, Part 1 Angelo Heilprin Louis Heilprin - January 1, 1916 J.B. Lippincott - Publisher

1920 - PRUDEN BUILDING DESTROYED BY FIRE. BIG OFFICE BUILDING IN LANSING BURNED TODAY - ONLY WALLS LEFT.
Lansing, Mich., Dec. 28. - Fire here today destroyed the Pradden office building, owned by former state fuel director W. K. PRADDEN and one of the largest and most prominent buildings in the business district. Only the walls were left standing as the result of the fire which was discovered at 5:00 o'clock.

The first floor of the building was occupied by the American Savings bank and postal telegraph company. The upper floors were occupied by offices, principally associated charities and real estate concerns.
Evening Chronicle
Marshall, Michigan
December 28, 1920

1929 - NEW BRIDGE AT LANSING COLLAPSES. STRUCTURE IN COURSE OF ERECTION SUDDENLY TOPPLES WITH FATAL RESULTS.
Lansing, Mich., April 12. - (UP) - Five men were believed to have been killed, two were injured and two others escaped at 9:30 a.m. today when a cofferdam at the new South Logan Street bridge, a $450,000 structure under construction over the Grand River, collapsed without warning.
The five workmen were trapped in the crumpled timbers and dirt and were either crushed or drowned.

Those who escaped were in the upper portion of the structure. The two injured were expected to recover.
Simpson's Leader Times
Kittanning, Pennsylvania
April 12, 1929

1950 - May 01 - WJIM TV channel 6 in Lansing, MI (CBS) begins broadcasting

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1966 - August 07 - Race riot in Lansing Michigan

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Here's a mix of places to visit and things to do in Lansing:
1. Michigan State Capitol: Start your journey with a visit to the Michigan State Capitol. Take a guided tour to learn about the history and architecture of this impressive building.

2. Impression 5 Science Center: Perfect for families or anyone interested in interactive science exhibits. It's a hands-on museum where you can engage in various experiments and activities.

3. Lansing River Trail: If you enjoy walking, running, or biking, the Lansing River Trail is a scenic path along the Grand and Red Cedar rivers. It's a great way to explore the natural beauty of the area.

4. Potter Park Zoo: Spend a day at the zoo enjoying exhibits featuring animals from around the world. It's a family-friendly destination with a focus on education and conservation.

5. Old Town: This historic district is known for its charming streets, unique boutiques, and art galleries. It's a great place to explore and discover local artists.

6. Michigan History Center: If you're interested in the... Read MORE...